Well , I've started down the path

[nty]

I've just ordered a skywatcher explorer 200pds and a heq5 pro synscan, I have a 12v psu. What else do you think I should order as a priority for astrophotography ?

[valleyman]

A Camera        

Just joking

[nty]

Nice one valley man lol. What I meant of course was what sensor should I get started with and do I need a coma corrector ?

Also goes the mount come with the psu 12v leads or do I need to order ?

[Thalestris24]

Nice one valley man lol. What I meant of course was what sensor should I get started with and do I need a coma corrector ?

Also goes the mount come with the psu 12v leads or do I need to order ?

Hi

You can use your finder as a guidescope (if you want) and you can get an adapter and guide camera from Modern Astronomy. I'd recommend the qhy5l-ii mono. PHD2 is good, free guiding software. If you want to do pulse-guiding, you'll need an eqdir/serial to usb cable - Astronomiser do good quality ones.

As for camera, a lot of people start with a dslr - Canon are well supported. You need a T-ring to connect it to scope fittings. You need a coma corrector but it's not absolutely necessary to start with and they often have exacting spacing requirements.

My sig summarises the bits I currently have and use for AP No, you have to supply your own psu lead. It's a standard +12v tip positive Jack - I think it's 2.1mm diameter one.

Cheers

Louise

[Lonestar70]

Hi nty,

Welcome to the 'dark side'.

For best results in astrophotography through the 200PDS you will need a coma corrector or you will get odd shaped stars in the outer regions of your pictures.

If you are in a region where there is a significant amount of light polution then a light polution filter will be of great benefit.

For exposures of more than a couple of minutes then you will need to add a guide scope and guide camera + a guiding software package... A lot of people use one called PHD which is a free download on the internet.

Similarly, a lot of people use a telescope control package which comprises of 'ASCOM PLATFORM' and 'EQAscom/EQMOD' Plus a planetarium software to show you where to point the scope... this can be one called 'Cartes du Ciel' or alternatively 'Stellarium'... the former being the most popular choice.

All these software packages can be freely downloaded on the net.

Cartes Du Ciel: - http://sourceforge.net/projects/skychart/

Stellarium: - http://www.stellarium.org/en_GB/

ASCOM PLATFORM: - http://ascom-platform.software.informer.com/6.0/

EQAscom/EQMOD: - http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

PHD Guiding: - http://www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html

For the ASCOM/EQMOD route it can be configured to use the handset as an interface to the computer, however this is not the best way... the best way is to use an EQDIRect interface module which eliminates the handset altogether.

This is available from FLO : - http://www.firstlightoptics.com/hitecastro/hitecastro-eqdir-adapter.html

FLO can also supply the Light Polution filter if you need one.

What camera are you going to be using?... you will need an appropriate T- adaptor for it... and an appropriate camera control software package.

I hope this helps you on your way.

Plenty of help on SGL if you need any help.

EDIT... the HEQ5 pro mount comes with a power lead which has a cigar lighter plug on one end and a 2.1mm jack on the other... if your power supply is not fitted with a cigar socket outlet then you can either replace the lead with one from FLO or fit an external cigar socket to your power supply.

Best Regards.

Sandy.

[oldpink]

welcome to the world of Empty pockets

for DSO a coma corrector is advisable also depending on where you stay a good LP filter if you are in a light polluted are

other useful equipment is a decent laptop with USB 2 ports and a decent HD for capture, I can easily do 100gb in 1 session

[Thalestris24]

Hi

This is just my opinion and I wouldn't disagree with Sandy but...

"For best results in astrophotography through the 200PDS you will need a coma corrector or you will get odd shaped stars in the outer regions of your pictures." This is true but I've been imaging for about 4 months now and still haven't got one  and there's a lot to learn before you need to worry about star shapes.

" A lot of people use one called PHD which is a free download on the internet." Yes, though PHD2 is the open source version and has taken over from PHD now. It's also better

http://openphdguiding.org/

TBH the eqdirect cables that FLO supply are not that good quality IMHO. I'd say the Astronomiser ones are much better and they do longer ones too

http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/eqdir.htm

Um you may also need the odd adapter and various usb cables...

Also, you can choose not to set up guiding whilst you get familiar with things but you do need it for exposures longer than a minute or two. You can also choose not to use the finder as a guidescope and attach a separate guidescope to the 200pds scope rings or via a dual dovetail setup. Some people use off-axis guiders but they're mostly for long focal length scopes.

If you intend to use a Canon dslr then APT is a free and useful capture program http://www.ideiki.com/astro/Default.aspx

Then you need to stack individual images (assuming you intend to image DSOs). DSS is free and used by lots of people. You can download v3.3.4 here: http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/download.htm

As for image processing there are a number of options...

Hth

Louise

[umadog]

You should order a good book on the subject and read it carefully. This one is commonly recommended: http://www.astronomynow.com/books/MakingEveryPhotonCount.html You should also consider starting out with long exposure photos using just a regular dSLR and lens attached to your mount. i.e. no scope. Use those shots to learn about processing: dark frames, bias frames, stacking, etc. You'll be able to concentrate on that stuff without worrying overly about guiding and alignment. Then add the scope later. It'll probably easier to learn if you break things up in a logical way like that.

[PeterCPC]

If you are going to use a Canon you could also consider BYE as capture software. http://www.backyardeos.com/

Peter

[nty]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to consider . I thought if I didn't bite the bullet and buy the kit I'd never make the jump.

[brantuk]

Hi nty and welcome to SGL

For a fiver you can pop to a camping shop and get a black camping roll. With a bit of velcro and a pair of scissors you'll be able to make a dew shield for your scope when it arrives. Cheapest accessory you'll ever get and probably the most useful.

New scopes don't usually come with a power supply - you'll either need to order one for home use - or get a 12V battery pack for use in the field. Nice set up you've chosen there - have fun!

[wxsatuser]

welcome to the world of Empty pockets

for DSO a coma corrector is advisable also depending on where you stay a good LP filter if you are in a light polluted are

other useful equipment is a decent laptop with USB 2 ports and a decent HD for capture, I can easily do 100gb in 1 session

and loads of patience.

[MND]

Tons of patience, especially with the weather......